Attaching Drywall to Ceiling Joists

Installing a ceiling drywall is a tedious job that requires at least two people to accomplish. It is much easier to repair the drywall in Vancouver or plaster, but if a new drywall is necessary, this article will guide you step by step on how to successfully install a new drywall.

Step 1: Locate the Ceiling Framing

Identify where the ceiling joists are and mark their location on the wall. You can locate the joists by tapping on the ceiling and listening for the sounds. A hollow sound is an indication of open space while a solid sound indicates a wood framing. Alternatively, you can use a drill to locate the joists. Measure about 16 inches from the wall and drill through, if you meet some resistance and wood is ejected from the drill hole then that indicates the presence of a joist. Check for all the beams and mark their centers on both ends of the wall. You can use a chalked string to mark the locations of the middle of the joists.

Step 2: Framing Layout

Fasten the first furring strip along one end of the wall, and then install the other furring strips at 16-inch intervals. At the other end of the wall ensure that you install another furring strip along the wall just like the first one even if the distance between it and the previous strip is less than 16 inches. The furring strips should be installed perpendicular to the joists. When you have installed all the furring strips, mark the centers of each strip with a non-staining marker or pencil along the wall.

Step 3: Drywall Layout

Before you begin your drywall installation, ensure that you are using the approved material as some jurisdictions require fire-resistant drywalls (Type X) for ceiling installation. Hang the drywall along the corner of the first wall parallel to the furring strips. Utilize full sheets as possible to fill the space and at the end of the run, if you need a smaller piece of foil, cut the sheet into size to fit the last area ensuring that the opened end butts of the layers are together. For the second row, start with a full sheet at the opposite end of the room. Ensure that the sheets join the first row with the finished edges being together. Use as many whole leaves as possible finishing with smaller pieces when necessary. Always ensure that when joining sheets together, polished edges mate with finished edges and open edges mate with free edges.

Step 4: Hanging the drywall sheets

Use construction adhesive to secure the drywall sheets in place. Using the glue ensures that you use fewer screws to obtain the sheets. Lift the first layer into place and push it into the corner touching both walls. Ensure that half the furring strip is visible on the outer edge and supports the sheet. Use a screw gun that has a clutch function to sink the heads uniformly just below the surface to ensure that paper covering does not tear. Use a chalked string marking the length of the furring strips to drive the other screws. You can use a homemade tee for support while hanging the drywall which will make your work even more comfortable.